Executive antecedents of interfirm cooperation

Purpose Balancing interfirm relationships is important for firms’ long-term superior performance. However, prior studies mainly focus on interfirm competition or interfirm cooperation separately, ignoring the balance of interfirm relationships. To bridge this gap in knowledge, this study aims to develop a framework to evaluate the balance of interfirm competition and interfirm cooperation and propose strategies to optimize a firm’s interfirm relationships. Design/methodology/approach After an in-depth literature review, a framework was developed for evaluating and optimizing the interfirm relationships. Taking the high-speed railway industry as an example, the proposed framework was implemented. Findings The results of the case confirm that the balancing of interfirm relationships can lead to more superior firm performance. Also, rather than mutual suppression, the interfirm competition and interfirm cooperation present a roughly positive relationship. Originality/value This study would contribute to the existing knowledge body by developing a framework for balancing interfirm relationships. Also, this study can aid practitioners in evaluating and optimizing their interfirm relationship structures.

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The Impact of Technological Complexity and Interfirm Cooperation on Business Survival

Academy of Management Journal ◽

10.5465/256886 ◽

1997 ◽

Vol 40 (2) ◽

pp. 339-367 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Kulwant Singh

Keyword(s):

Business Survival ◽

Technological Complexity ◽

Interfirm Cooperation ◽

The Impact

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Evolutionary Dynamics of Interfirm Cooperative System for Radical Innovation from Knowledge Collaboration Perspective

Complexity ◽

10.1155/2020/8253856 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 2020 ◽

pp. 1-21

Author(s):

Jinsheng Li ◽

Yi Shi ◽

Lu Xu

Keyword(s):

Evolutionary Dynamics ◽

Simulation Analysis ◽

Radical Innovation ◽

Rent Seeking ◽

Potential Difference ◽

Innovative Performance ◽

The Core ◽

Knowledge Collaboration ◽

Interfirm Cooperation ◽

Cooperation System

Interfirm cooperation can be seen as a significant and effective way for exploring radical innovation. In this article, a framework of interfirm cooperation, with a core manufacture and upstream counterparties in industry, and its evolving mechanism in the reverse-chain radical innovation are established from the perspective of the fundamental role played by knowledge collaboration. Then, an evolution model of interfirm cooperation is constructed on the theory of vibration mechanics, and its evolutionary dynamics is explored through numerical and simulation analysis mainly on the key factors of knowledge potential difference and knowledge rent-seeking behaviour within the firms. The findings show that, if there is no knowledge-based rent-seeking behaviour from the upstream firms, the probable innovative performance from the interfirm cooperation should vary for the knowledge potential difference between the cooperative firms, but can come to a certain equilibrium state. Meanwhile, if the knowledge rent-seeking behaviour does exist, knowledge potential difference would lead the innovative performance evolving ultimately in divergence. What’s more, the negative effect caused by the rent-seeking behaviour could be alleviated or weakened to some extent by the excitation mechanisms presented by the core firms in the cooperation system. Therefore, the drawn conclusions should be useful for the core manufactures’ implementing various strategies to maintain or enhance the cooperation for radical innovation in industry.

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Interfirm Cooperation Capability in the Context of Networking Family Firms: The Role of Power

Family Business Review ◽

10.1111/j.1741-6248.2004.00021.x ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 17 (4) ◽

pp. 319-330 ◽

Cited By ~ 30

Author(s):

Tarja Niemelä

Keyword(s):

Empirical Research ◽

Family Firms ◽

Knowledge And Skills ◽

Institutional Power ◽

Interfirm Cooperation

This article is based on theoretical and empirical research exploring interfirm cooperation capability in the context of networking family firms by focusing on the role of power. By developing the model of interfirm cooperation capability this study seeks understanding of the concept of power on the affective, conative, and cognitive capabilities of networking family firms, and on the competitiveness of the network of family firms. The study suggests that the owner-managers need to have capabilities, such as knowledge and skills, motivation and volition (willpower) and “affection,” when using their personal and institutional power as it affects the model of interfirm cooperation capability.

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